Fruit-box.



R. H. RICHARDSON.

FRUIT BOX.

- APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented Oct. 10,

Patented 0011.10, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

R, R. RICHARDSON.

' FRUIT BOX.

APPLICATION FILED M'AYBI, l9l2.

R. R. RICHARDSON.

FRUIT BOX.

I APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, I912. 1,200,522. Patented 001. 10,1916. 1

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH R. RICHARDSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO CARTONCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION.

. rm'nr nox.

To all whom it mayconcern: v Be it known that I, RALPH R. RICHARD- SON,a citizen of the United States, and a resident of. Chicago, county ofCook, and

State of Illinois, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements inFruit-Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and

' exact description.

The invention relates to fruit boxes and seeks to providea simple,strong construction which can be economically manufactured andpreferably of heavy paperor pasteboard, and in which the bottom of thebox is securely supported in position above the lower edge thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved fruit box inwhich the bottom and side walls are formed of double thicknesses, and orpasteboard.

The invention also seeks to provide a colpreferably of heavy paperlapsible 0rknock-down construction which from a ferred construction ofthe improved fruit box, Figure 1 is a View of theblank from which thebox is formed. Fig.2 is a' perspectiveviewj of the blank in partiallyfolded condition. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a completed box. Fig.4 is a crossseotion on line 447of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectiononline 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6

is a view of a modified form of the improved box. Fig. 7 isa perspectiveview of the same in partially folded condition. Fig.8

.is a cross-section of the completed box taken on the line 88 ofFig. 9.Fig. 9 1s a crosssection on the line 99 of Fig, 8. Fig. 10, is a blankof a further modification, the blank being shown folded for shipment.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, theimproved box is formed of-- a single blank of heavy paper or pasteboard,and this blank is preferably of the form shown "in Fig. 1. The bodyportion of the box comprises connected side wallsa, b, o and d, theblank being scored transversely along the lines 1, to form the verticalcorner folds between the side walls. The body portion of the box isprovided at Specification of Letters Patent.

which is adapted to be secured to the opposite end thereof to connectthe side walls. In the preferred construction shown, the flap 2 isintegral with the-side wall (Z and is arranged to overlap the side walla. The re- Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

. Application filed May 31, 1912. Serial No. 700,726.

- one end with an integral extension or flap 2 I duced outer edge of theflap is provided with laterally projecting tongues 2' which are arrangedto interlock with slits. 3 in the side wall a to thereby detachablyconnect the ends of the body portion of the box.

The box is provided with lower, ,inner slde-sections which extend fromits lower edges upwardly. over the inner facesof the side walls to forma lower edge of double thickness beneath the bottom of the box which issupported above its lower edge.

Preferably, also, the box is provided above its bottom with upper, innerside-sections which extend downwardly from the upper edges thereof. Thelower, inner side sections a, b, c" and d are formed integral with thecorresponding side walls a, b, 0',

-and d, the blank being scored along the lower-edge of the side wallsupon the line- 4, so that the lower side-sections may be folded upwardlyand inwardly over the inner faces of the side walls. lowersidefextensions are provided. with flaps-which are adapted to'extendinwardly therefrom and support the box bottom. For this purpose, thelower edge of the blank is cut or notched at intervals in line with thecorner folds 1 of the box. to form flaps 5,. 6 and 7, which areintegral, respectivelyywith the lower side extensions b, c and 41, theyblank being scored along the line 8 between these parts, so that theflaps 5, 6 and 7 can be folded or extended inwardly from the side wallsof the box, to thereby sustainthe box bottom. While the inwardlyextending flaps 5, 6 and 7 are separated from one another, the lowerside sections a, b, of

aud o? are integral with one another and are connected at their endsalong thescored Certain of the lines 1. Preferably, as shown, thesection ais not scored and is not provided with an inwardly extendingflap. v

Before the ends of the body portion are connected, the lower sideextensions are folded upwardly about the line 4 andagainst the innerfaces of the side walls. The flaps 5., 6 and 7 are then folded upon theline'8 and project inwardly at right angles to the side walls to supportthe box bottom. The lower, inner side-sections a, at one end of .thebox, as stated, is preferably not scoied erably greater than that of theother sideextensions and, in the form shown, is equal to the combinedwidth of one of the other extensions and the flap thereon. The inner,side extension d at the opposite end of the body portion is providedwith an integral, laterally projecting tongue '9 which, when the box isassembled, is adapted to be insorted between the side walls a and thelower, inner side-section a. By forming the foldable, lower, innerside-sections a, Z), a and d integral with one another and connect ingthe ends thereof by the tongue 9, as in the preferred constructionshown, the sections securely uphold the bottom supporting flaps 5, 6 and7, so that the latter will properly uphold the box bottom. too obviatesthe need of pasting, stapling or otherwise securing the lower, innerside sections a, b, c and (Z? to the inner faces of the side wallsof thebox.

The box bottom comprises two overlapping sections 6 and e which aresupported one above the'other upon the inwardly projecting flaps 5, 6and 7. Each of the bottom sections is preferably of suflicient size tofill the space within the box and engage the side walls thereof to holdthe same extended. The bottom sections are preferably formed integralwith upper, inner side sections a 6 0 and (Z which extend from theupperedge of the box downwardly over the inner faces of the side wallsto the box bottom. These inner side-sections are formed integral withthe body of the box and are connected thereto atits upper edge along ascore 10.

The inner side sections 0 b 0 and d and the overlapping bottom sections6 and e are preferably formed of two extensions integral, respectively,with two adjacent side walls a and I), each of these extensions beingscored along the lines 11 to form foldsbetween the bottom sections 6 ande and the side-sections a b 0 and (Z In setting up the box, as stated,the lower, inner side-sections are first folded about the line 4toengage the inner faces of the side walls a, Z), c and (Z, and theflaps are turned away from the sidewalls about the line 8. The sidewalls are 'then folded upon-the corner scores 1, as indicated in Fig. 2.Preferably, when the box is so folded, the bottom supporting flap 6,opposite the lower sidesection a is arranged above and rests upon theadjacent ends of the other bottom supporting flaps 5 and 7, as shown.-As the ends of the body portion are brought to- This arrangementtongues2 thereof are inserted in the cuts or slits 3 to securely connect theends of the body portion. The extensions which form the upper, innerside-sections and the bottom sections are folded, as indicated in Fig.2, upon the scored lines 11 and are then folded one at a time upon thescores or hinge connections 10 and inserted into the box. The extensioncomprising the parts a 0 and e and which is in line with the lowersidesection a, is preferably first folded into the box, the parts orsections a and 0 extendfaces of the side walls Z and (Z and the bottomsection a overlying the lower bottom sect-ion e. i

The foldable parts which extend from the upper edges of the two adjacentside walls a .and b snugly fit within the box and strengthen and supportthe side walls thereofand securely hold them in extended position. Bywithdrawing these parts from the box, and folding the flaps 5, 6 and 7upwardly against the inner faces of the side walls, the box can becollapsed without disconnecting the ends of the body portion and shippedin this collapsed or knock-down form, so that, if desired, the ends ofthe body portion can be permanently connected without destroying thecollapsible or knockdown feature of the box. Preferably, however, theends of the box body are provided with the detachable interlocking meansshown and the box can then be shipped, if desired, completely knockeddown.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, the lower, innerside-sections a is of the same width as the other lower side sections 6,0 and (land one of the bottom sections 6 integral therewith beingconnected thereto along a continuation of the score 8. The lowerside-sections 7) and (l.

as in the form previously described, are provided with narrow bottomsupporting flaps 5 and. 7. The sections 0, intermediate the sections 6'and cl instead of being provided with a flap, has an extension formingthe other bottom-section 6 The bottom sections are provided at theirends with flaps 13 connected thereto along the scored lines ll. The endedges of the flaps 13 are preferably cut away or beveled. as shown. Theend edges of the flaps 5 and 7 are also preferably cut away or beveledin both forms.

The box body, in the forms shown in Figs.

. In forming the completed box, the upper,

side-sections are thus folded. upon the scored line 10 onto theinnerfaces of the side walls a, b, 0 and d. The lower, side-sections a, b, cand (Z are then folded upwardly about the scored line 4 onto the innerface of the side walls and over the lower edges of the upper, innerside-sections, the latter being of suflicient length to extenddownwardly inside of the lower, side-sections, as clearly indicated inFigs. 8 and 9. The boxes are preferably shipped to the user in thiscondition.

The user, to set up the box, turns the fiaps 5 and 7 outwardly and foldsthe'body of the box about the corner scores 1, as indicated in 7. Then,to connect the end portions arranged, bottom-supporting flaps 5 and 7.

,The bottom section which is first folded into the box, for example, thebottom section 6 in this form and as illustrated in Fig.9, the

upper, inner side-sections ma be omitted. In this figure, the lower,inner side-sections and the bottom sections are shown folded onto theinner faces-of the) side walls of the box, the latter being preferablyshipped in this initially folded condition.

The improved construction can be conveniently knocked down and set upand is extremely strong and rigid. The lower supporting edge of the boxis of double thick ness and, in the preferred construction, the bottomand side walls are .also of double thickness. The lower portions of theside walls are constructed to securely uphold the box bottom. The latteris supportedat its edges by the lower, inner side-sections a or a", b, cand d and these lower side-sections are upheld and prevented fromcollapsing because their adjacent ends are connected by forming thesections integrally w1th one another andby connecting the sec-' tion dat one end of the box body to the section a or a" at' the opposite endby' means of the tongue 9. This cheapens the cost of the box, since itis then unnecessary to secure the lower, inner side-sections in place bypaste, staples or the like. In all of the forms shown, the foldablebottom sections fit snugly'within the box and are pro- I A furtheradvantage of the improved construction shown is that in each form theblank is of simple outline and such that it can be economically cut fromthe paper or pasteboard stock. The blank shown in Fig.-

1 is L-shaped and the portion of the paper or pasteboard stock lying inthe angle between the parts thereof can form the extensions on the bodyportion of the next adjacent blank. In the form shown in Fig. 6, theparts cutout between the bottom-sections 6 and e and, the right-handside of the section 6 can form the corresponding sections of the nextadjacent blank; For purposes of ventilation, the bottom-sections e and'e of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5,

vided with flaps or sections at their free 'edges bearing against thewall opposite to which they are connected, so that the bottom sectionsare securely held in position.

and the bottom sections 6 and e of the form shown in Figs. 6 to 10,inclusive, are preferably provided with "a series of holes 7 12, whichregister when these sections are overlapped. If desired, the side wallsmay also be provided with such openings.

In the form-of the invention illustrated in Fig. 10, the construction ofthe box is the same as that illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings,except that the upper, inner side sections a 6 c and d of Fig. 6 areomitted. In Fig. 10, the. lower-inner side sections are formed integralwitlithe side walls of the box, two. of the lower side sections havingformed integral therewith the bottom sections, while the remaining twoof extending from the upper and lower edges of said side walls,overlapping bottom-sections above the lower edge of the box andsupporting flaps beneath and parallel t sai bottomsections, said bottomsections and said supporting flaps extending inwardly from said innerside-sections and said supporting flaps being connected to said lowerside sections, substantially as described.

2. A fruit box comprising connected side walls, upper and lower innerside-sections connected to said side walls and extending from the upperand lower edges thereof, overlapping bottom-sections integral with saidinner side-sections and extending inwardly therefrom above the loweredge'of the box, and supporting flaps integral with said lowerside-sections and extending inwardly therefrom beneath and parallel tosaid bottom-sections, substantially as described.

3. A collapsible fruit box comprising connected side walls, upper andlower, inner side-sections connected to said side walls and extendingfrom their upper and lower edges over the inner faces thereof, a doublebottom comprising overlapping sections integral with said innerside-sections, and extending inwardly therefrom above the lower edge ofthe box, and flaps integral with said lower side-sections and extendinginwardly therefrom beneath and parallel to said bottom sections tosupport the latter, each of said bottom-sections being arranged toengage said side-vwalls to hold the same ex- .tended, substantially asdescribed.

4. vA fruitbox formed ofa single blank and comprising a body portionconnected at its ends and scored transversely to form side walls, saidbody portion having integral upper and lower, inner side-sectionsextending from its edges and engaging the inner faces of sald sidewallsand overlapping bottomsections integral with said inner side-sectionsand extending inwardly therefrom above the lower edge of the box, saidlower I, side-sections having integral flaps extending inwardlytherefrom beneath and parallel tosaid bottom-sections to support thelatter,

of overlapping sections integral with said inner side-sections andextending inwardly therefrom above the lower edge of the box,

and inwardly extending flaps integral with said lower side-sections andarranged benea'th said bottom-sections to support the same, each of saidbottom-sections being of sufficient size to fill the space within saidbox and hold said side walls extended, substantially as described.

6. A collapsible fruit box formed of a connected side walls, 7 formed ofoverlapping sectlons, mner sldeand lower edges thereof, a double bottomcomprising overlapping sections integral with said upper side-sections,and flaps integral with and extending inwardly from the upper edges ofsaid lower side-sections and arranged beneath and parallel to saidbottom sections to uphold the same above the lower edge of the box,substantially as described.

7. A, collapsible fruit box comprising a double sections connected tothe opposite side edges of each of said bottom sections and extendingupwardly therefrom over the inner faces of said side walls to the upperedge of the box, two of said side sections being permanently connectedto two adjacent side walls, and lower, inner side sections connected tosaid side walls and extending upwardly from the lower edges thereof andhaving inwardly extending flaps arranged beneath and parallel to saidbottom-sections and supporting the same above the lower edge of the box,substantially as described.

8. A collapsible fruit box formed of a single blank and comprising abody portion connected at its ends and scored transversely to form sidewalls, a double bottom formed of overlapping sections each havingintegral inner side-sections extending upwardly from opposite edgesthereof to the upper edge of the box, two of said side-sections beingintegrally connected to two adjacent side walls, lower, innerside-sections integral with and extending upwardly from the lower edgesof said side walls, and flaps integral with said lower side-sections andextending inwardly beneath and parallel to said bottom-sections tosupport the latter above the lower edge of the box, substantially asdescribed.

9. A fruit box comprising a blank foldable to form side walls andconnected at its ends, foldable inner side-sections integralwith andextending upwardly from the lower edges of said side walls to form abase bottom inner side-sections tions a, b, a and dintegral therewithand extending upwardly from their lower edges, said inner side sectionsbeing integrally connected at their adjacent ends, the inner sidesection a at one end of the body portion being wider than the other ofsaid inner side sections and the latter having inwardly extending flaps5, 6 and 7 the inner side sec tion 03 at the opposite end of the bodyportion having a tongue inserted between said inner side section a andthe adjacent side wall a, and a folding bottom connected to the latterside wall a and supported on said flaps, substantially as described.

11. A folding fruit box comprising a body portion having connectingmeans at its ends and scored to form side walls a, b, c and d, said sidewalls having side sections a, b, 0 and d integral therewith andextending upwardly from their lower edges, said inner side sectionsbeing integrally connected at their adjacent ends, the inner sidesection a at one end of the body portion being wider than the other ofsaid inner side sec tions and the latter having inwardly extendingflaps'5, 6 and 7, the inner side sections d at the opposite end of thebody portion having a tongue inserted between the inner I slde sectlon aand the ad acent side wall a,

and a double bottom comprising a bottom section e having oppositeintegral, upper side sections a and 0 and a second bottom section 6having opposite, integral, upper side sections 6 and (5 two of saidupper side sections a and 6 one on each of said bottom sections, beingintegrally connected to the upper edges of two adjacent side walls a andb, substantially as described.

12. A collapsible fruit box comprising a blank foldable to form sidewalls and connected at its ends, lower, inner side-sections connected toand extending upwardly from the lower edges of said side walls to form alower edge of double thickness, some of said having integral, inwardlyextendingfiaps, and a folding bot tom section parallel to and supportedon said flaps, said bottom section being connected to one of said sidewalls and having an upturned side-section engaging the opposite sidewall, said bottom section being arranged .to hold said side wallsextendedfsubstantially as described.

13. A collapsible'fruit box comprising a blank foldable to form sidewalls and connected at its ends, lower, inner side-sections connected toand extending upwardly from the lower edges of said side walls to form alower edge of double thickness, some of said inner side-sections havingintegral, inwardly extending flaps, and a double bottom parallel to andsupported on said flaps,

said bottom comprising two sections supported on said flaps, connectedto two adjacent side walls and arranged to engage the other side wallsto hold the same extended, substantially as described.

1-1:. A fruit box comprising a blank foldable to form side walls andconnected at its ends, foldable inner side-sections integral with andextending upwardly from the lower edges of said side walls to form asupporting base portion of double thlk, .ness, said side-sections beingintegrally connected at their adjacent ends and some of said sectionshaving integral, inwardly extending flaps, means connecting the innerside-sections at the ends of the blank and a double bottom comprisingtwo, foldable overla ping sections each having integral, sine-- sectionsextending upwardly from opposite edges thereof, two of the latter sidesections being connected to two adjacent side walls, substantially asdescribed.

15. A box comprising a body portion connected at its ends and scoredtransversely to form side walls, lower, inner side-sections extenoingupwardly from the lower edges of said side walls to form a supportingbase portion of double thickness, two of said sections at opposite sidesof the box having inwardly extending flaps above and parallel to thelower edge of the box, and a folding bottom' connected to one of saidside walls and having an extension at its free end arranged at rightangles thereto and abutting against the opposite side wall, the otheropposite edges of said bottom being supported on said. flaps andarranged adjacent the other side walls of the box, substantially asdescribed.

16. A box comprising a body portion connected atits ends and scoredtransversely to form side walls, foldable inner side-sections integralwith and extending upwardly from the lower edges of said side walls toform a supporting base portion of double thickness, said inner sidesections being integrally connected at their adjacent ends and two ofsaid sections, at opposite sides of the box, having integral, inwardlyextending flaps at their upper edges, means connecting the inner sidesections at the ends of said body portion, and a folding bottomcomprising overlapping sections supported on said flaps, each of saidbottonrsections being connected to one of said side walls and having anextension at its free end folded at right angles thereto and engagingthe side wall opposite that to which it is connected, substantially asdescribed.

RALPH R. RICHARDSON.

lVitnesses ELEANOR HAGENOW, K TH RINE GERLACH.

